Chapter 12 - Chapter 12: The Tian Brothers

Tian Fei Rong rushed back home with excitement, encountering Tian Fei Yang who had just come out of their father's place.

Tian Fei Yang scolded, "Always running outside, never focusing on cultivation. How long has it been since your strength improved?"

Tian Fei Rong, with a bitter face, found his brother annoying, staring at him more strictly than their parents.

He quickly pulled out a stack of spirit talismans from his storage bag, saying, "I did something useful today. Look at these talismans, give me some advice."

Tian Fei Yang, skeptical, took a glance. "All fireball talismans? The lowest level. Why bring so many back? Are you trying to learn talisman crafting? Have you decided to make progress?"

Tian Fei Rong thought his brother existed just to challenge him but dared only to criticize silently. He explained the events of the day, making Tian Fei Yang curious about the stranger named Chi Changye.

After a thorough inspection, Tian Fei Yang noticed a subtle difference—the radiance of these talismans exceeded what he had seen before. Activating one, the talisman turned into a powerful fireball, surprising Tian Fei Rong. Junior fireball talismans were not supposed to be this potent.

Excited, Tian Fei Yang instructed his brother to get more details about Chi Changye. Tian Fei Rong, smug, shared what he knew. Tian Fei Yang speculated, "Another Feng Yinhua?"

"No," Tian Fei Rong shook his head, "Changye isn't that powerful. At most, he has the strength of early Qi refining. He had no treasures when found by the Gu family, and his appearance outside our town is strange. I've heard of no one being chased recently. It's like Changye appeared out of thin air. Big brother, you don't know of any Changye cultivation family, right?"

Tian Fei Yang nodded, "Even if he isn't another Feng Yinhua, considering his age, he should be on par with the talents in our town. Since he's on our territory, we protect him. Build a good relationship with both of them. Luckily, Gu Yao didn't mind your bad reputation and chose to join you. Keep these talismans, and any future ones, send them to me for pricing."

"Sure," Tian Fei Rong was pleased, "I heard the Gu twins and Lu Minzhu talking about the Longevity Sect token this morning. It seems they don't know how these three fools will react when they find out."

Tian Fei Yang, frustrated, glared at his brother. He left, and a servant ran in, blurting out, "Second Young Master, I've learned about the Gu and Lu families... um..."

Seeing his elder brother, the servant choked. Tian Fei Yang scowled; his brother was more interested in gossip than cultivation.

Tian Fei Rong dismissed it, "Tell us, what happened? Brother, listen too. It's about the Longevity Sect token. Gu Yao spilled the beans, and I wonder how those three idiots will react."

Tian Fei Yang sighed. Those three were fools, but his second brother was no different.
But today, from Gu Yao's mouth, it was learned that his uncle had left a Longevity Sect token. Now, this token has been handed over to the family. Gu Chen is both anxious and annoyed. His father never mentioned this matter. In his view, since the token belongs to Gu Yao, it should belong to their second branch. In the end, it's obvious who the token should belong to, of course, it should be his.

But he also knew that his grandfather in the third branch actually valued the main branch and the eldest cousin, Gu Yan, more. Once the token reached his grandfather's hands, it would probably end up in the hands of Gu Yan. Thinking about this missed opportunity slipping away from him, Gu Chen regretted it almost to the point of spitting blood.

"Dad, why didn't you mention this before? Did Grandpa specifically instruct you?" Gu Chen guessed that his grandfather was behind this. His father's character was hard to figure out. While he naturally cherished the twins, he always followed his grandfather's words. It was his grandfather who had insisted on marrying Gu Yao's mother in the first place.

Gu Zhiming was also regretful. He never expected that this troublemaker would suddenly pull such a stunt. "Chen'er, don't worry. Dad didn't mention it before because he was afraid this matter would reach the ears of other families. This time, Dad will help you fight for it."

Gu Zhiming cursed Gu Yao in his heart. He had hinted to Gu Yao several times before. If it weren't for the fact that the token couldn't be forcefully taken, he would have snatched it from Gu Yao long ago. The token had to go to the most suitable person, and Chen'er's aptitude was much better than that little troublemaker's. Moreover, Chen'er and Xing'er were always considerate and filial, which pleased him the most.

Thinking that Chen'er was right, the token clearly belonged to their second branch. If it fell into his father's hands, it might end up with his big brother. Since his father always favored the main branch, Gu Zhiming couldn't sit still. If it went to the main branch this time, the second branch would never have a chance to turn things around. He stood up abruptly and said, "I'll go find Grandpa to seek justice!"

"Dad, our son's future depends on you. If our son can enter the Longevity Sect, maybe in the future, Dad and Mom can go there too." Gu Chen painted a beautiful picture for Gu Zhiming, making him more enthusiastic and firm in his determination to fight for Gu Chen.

Gu Zhiming's visit would undoubtedly have predictable results. The token couldn't be obtained, and the conflict between the main branch and the second branch would intensify. With the interference of the third branch, the lively atmosphere in the Gu family was bound to continue.

Back in the Lu family, Lu Minzhu also questioned. However, an agreement had already been reached between the Lu family head and the Gu family head. Naturally, they couldn't seek justice for their granddaughter joining the Gu family. Still, Lu Minzhu's father reminded the Lu family head and scolded the daughter who married into the Gu family. He criticized her appearance, warning that in the future, she shouldn't come back to seek support.

There were many concubines and illegitimate children in the backyard of Gu Zhi, but because Lu had a good son, Gu Yan, and later had the support of the Lu family, those concubines and illegitimate children lived obediently under her care. No one dared to stand out.

Although this matter was suppressed by the Lu family head, there was a crack between Lu Minzhu's father and Lu Zhi. Especially Lu Minzhu's mother, Lu Shi, hated her younger sister. She regretted plotting for the token and blamed her daughter for provoking the Gu family. That little scoundrel Gu Yan was also no good!

Lu Shi thought about her father-in-law's attitude of calming things down and Lu Zhi's apparent remorse but arrogant appearance. She was so angry that she almost spat blood. She knew that her father-in-law had reached an agreement with the Gu family and would gain many benefits from them. Since the token couldn't fall into the hands of the Lu family, it was better to get some benefits. The one most at a loss in this whole thing was her daughter. Why sacrifice her daughter for the sake of the entire Lu family and that shameless woman Lu?

"Zhu'er, don't see that scoundrel Gu Yan again in the future. Mom doesn't believe he knows nothing about this matter. But what did he reveal to you? That scoundrel treats us like fools. Rest assured, Mom will find you a better husband than Gu Yan. What's Gu Yan anyway? Even if he gets the token and enters the Longevity Sect, what can he do? Who knows if he'll live until the end? Maybe he's just a short-lived ghost!"

Lu Minzhu cried in her mother's arms, still unable to believe that her cousin had said all those things to her were insincere. He had clearly promised to marry her. However, she also knew that only the person holding the token could enter the Longevity Sect, and unrelated people couldn't accompany. Even if she married her cousin, what could she do? Her cousin wouldn't be able to come back in a few years after going to the Longevity Sect, and she didn't have the time to wait.

Seeing her daughter so sad, Lu Shi hated even more. She hated her younger sister, Gu Yan, the Lu family head, and her husband. No one had asked for her opinion when the marriage between her daughter and Gu Yao was arranged. Now, the same thing was happening again. None of these people treated her and her daughter as important. She wanted these people to look good!

Tian Fei Rong was delighted to hear about these developments. "Brother, I told you Gu Yao did well. The third branch of the Gu family is causing trouble. As for the Lu family, the mother of Lu Minzhu doesn't seem to be someone who would swallow her grievances. I wonder what will happen. Haha, the more they stir things up, the better it is for our Tian family."

Tian Fei Yang listened to the entire story like listening to a novel, flicked his sleeve, and walked toward his own courtyard, leaving behind words: "If they make a fuss again and you don't make progress in your cultivation, you won't have a chance to step forward. Once Gu Yan enters the Longevity Sect, the Gu family will always suppress our Tian family." Petty squabbles wouldn't amount to anything. In this world, strength was respected, and only with sufficient strength could the Tian family survive in Faraway Town alongside the Gu family.